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If you didn’t know, about three decades ago, Vanessa Williams was the very FIRST Black woman to be awarded the title of Miss America. However, after nude photos of the beauty queen surfaced, Williams was stripped of her crown, finally causing her to resign in 1984. Now, years later, the current Miss America CEO Sam Haskell is issuing an apology.

“Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today’s organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams,” Haskell said as Williams’ eyes filled with tears. “I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be.”

The nude photos, by the way, were from a spread in Penthouse magazine. And yes, they were a little racy…but honestly, who cares?

Williams, who had been Miss New York, unfortunately had this happen at a time when nude photos of celebs weren’t so common. Nowadays, I really don’t think things would have been as bad for Williams as they were for her back in the 80’s.

Though many people wanted nothing more than to shame Williams for what she had “done”, according to an article from CNN.com, posing nude can actually be beneficial for some women. And let’s be real…this scandal was quite beneficial for Vanessa, considering she went on to be a successful actress and singer.

Relationship expert Kimberly Moffit told Fox that baring it all can have a positive effect.

“Some psychological benefits of posing nude can include a feeling of empowerment, increased confidence and body image, and an overall feeling of pride,” she said. “Women, like Sharon Stone, may pose nude to feel empowered and in control of their bodies, especially if they are proud of the way it looks or confident in who they are as a person. Some women take pride in demonstrating to other women that all body types are beautiful and that beauty can take form in many ways.”

Here’s the thing–at the end of the day, it’s her body. If people are going to get all up in arms about some beautiful body parts, then let’s be real; that’s their problem.

What do you think about this apology? Too little, too late, or a nice gesture?